The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (unit patch) worn by U.S. Army Personnel serving in the United States Special Operation Command, Europe (SOCEUR) was approved on 8 December 1983, a month and one week after the organization was given its current designation.
A subordinate unified command of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM or SOCOM), SOCEUR was originally established as the Support Operations Command Europe on 22 January 1955 and headquartered in Paris. Its mission was to enable peacetime planning for the operational control of Special Operations forces tasked with conducting unconventional warfare in the U.S. European Command Area of Responsibility. Its HQ was reorganized on 4 May 1955 as a Joint Task Force within United States European Command (EUCOM) called Support Operations Task Force Europe, or SOFTE, and its HQ moved to Stuttgart, Germany in 1967.
On 1 September 1978, the organization was redesignated as Special Operations Task Force Europe and assigned to EUCOM’s Headquarters. As mentioned earlier, it was given its current designation on 1 November 1983 and subsequently established as subordinate unified command under the control of EUCOM.
Designed as a shield to represent a strong defense, the insignia’s three sides recall the Commands capabilities on land, sea, and air. The jagged edges of the white “starburst” in the center suggest the dangerous conditions under SOCEUR must operate, with the red field which the starburst rests upon evoking images of valor and sacrifice and the white signifying integrity and purity of purpose. An upright dagger is adapted from the Special Forces insignia, reflecting the Command’s heritage and association; its orientation is a symbol of military readiness. The contrast between the black dagger and the white background is an allusion to the night-and-day, round-the-clock vigilance exercised by the Command.
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